In Takoma Park, these snow angels do some heavy lifting

TAKOMA PARK, Md. — Every time it snows enough to close schools in Montgomery County, snow angels appear. Not the kind you make when you make an impression in the newly fallen snow, but real, live people who take the time to help others in need in their communities.

The students at Takoma Park Middle School, who belong to the Difference Makers club, teamed up with the City of Takoma Park to form teams of Snow Angels to fan out across the city and dig out residents who can’t do the heavy lifting of snow removal themselves.

Recently, WTOP caught up with two volunteers in the program after they finished shoveling.

WTOP’s Kate Ryan on Thursday met up with the science teacher at TPMS, who organizes the kids and coordinates the day’s shoveling.

Bryan Goehring doesn’t just ask his kids to tackle the work of shoveling snow. He does it too.

“I was stunned the first time the kids showed up to work — I said, ‘Oh my gosh, we have too many volunteers!'”

Goehring says the program is appealing for a number of reasons: The kids go out in teams, so they’re often working with friends; they get out of the house after the novelty of binge-watching their favorite series wears off; and, as volunteer Anna Brooks, an eighth grader at Takoma Park Middle School points out, “It’s rewarding!”

Kate Ryan

As a member of the award-winning WTOP News, Kate is focused on state and local government. Her focus has always been on how decisions made in a council chamber or state house affect your house. She's also covered breaking news, education and more.

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